Strong marriages build strong families and strong families build strong churches.  Notice I said strong families and not perfect ones.  To expect perfection will only lead us down the road to false expectations and disappointment.  I believe there are some misconceptions regarding what a marriage should be and this frustrates many couples.  Some people think that marriage should never have conflict or differences of opinions.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  Marriage involves two different people coming from different walks of life to live with one purpose.  In order to accomplish such a high goal means learning how to deal with conflict since conflict is inevitable.  That is why empathy is so vital to the success of marriages.

Empathy is knowing how your spouse feels in the moment of conflict.  It is not, "How would I feel in their shoes?" but "How do they feel in their shoes?"  Many might think that this is conceding their position and giving in to whatever their spouse wants, but this is quite the contrary.  Employing empathy is about getting what you want and what you should want is what is best for your marriage.

If you fail to use empathy to resolve conflict you may find one of two outcomes:

For the past few weeks I have had the phrase, “flies in the ointment” stirring in my spirit. I dismissed it several times and it just keeps coming back. This is now something I know God is wants me to share with you.  For the last 500 years 'a fly in the ointment' has meant a small defect that spoils something valuable or is a source of annoyance." From the "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

Flies are known to carry both animal and human diseases such as Salmonella and E. coli.

Vetmed reports, “The common housefly, which is not a biting fly, sponges up moist materials with its mouthparts as it feeds. The “fly specks” seen on walls and corral fences are actually small amounts of vomit and fecal matter left behind by the flies. Often these “specks” contain bacteria that will also be deposited at the next place the fly lands to feed or rest. Flies particularly like decaying matter whether animal or plant so they feed on rotting placentas or manure pats.”

Even without the scientific capabilities of today the Bible knew long ago how dangerous a simple fly is: Ecclesiastes 10:1, “Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.” To stink in the Hebrew refers to becoming foul and disgusting. In other words the harmless looking flies floating in the ointment would destroy the precious and expensive oil set aside for holy purposes.

Have you ever prayed to God to have more favor in your life?  I sure have and will continue to do so.  I have also found that as I pray for more favor in my life, God is asking me to show more favor in other people's life.  It is really easy to focus upon what we want and miss out on what God wants.  While I am not saying that it's wrong to think and dream about things, I am saying that it is easy to get caught up in our desires and we forget about other people's needs.

I know as a father raising three boys, I am tested time and time again with boys and their desires.  Yet, I have never been moved with more compassion, in regards to my boys, than when I see that they are more concerned for the needs of others than their own.  This automatically opens my heart to want to bless them and show them favor; all because I know their heart is not rooted in selfishness, but love and generosity towards others.

The question looms in many people's minds regarding the importance of the U.S. standing by Israel.  Some would find this topic trivial and unimportant, while others see it as a vital issue tied to the success or failure of the U.S.  We have seen some amazing disasters take place over the last 15 years and without looking to scripture and world events one would not see any correlation between U.S. disasters and our foreign policy with Israel.  Just as of recent our country has experienced disasters that are range beyond common events.

The recent tornadoes that ripped through the heart of the U.S. was unprecedented.  ABC News reported, "Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour described the aftermath as "the obliteration of a small community."  Officials have so far counted 61 tornadoes in nine states as the storm moved through Mississippi and into Florida and South Carolina Sunday.

In Mississippi, where an astounding 32 twisters were reported, residents said it looked as if the sky was falling as a tornado chased them down the road. Winds were clocked upward of 160 mph, and one tornado had a base one and a half miles wide."

But what are the ties between the U.S. Natural disasters and Israel? Share

In the midsts of a financial crisis in the America, I believe now more than ever people are searching for more truth and wisdom from God.  If we think we can just pop into church and grab a few nuggets of truth and be on our way we will have a rude awakening.  The secrets of God are not easily unearthed by the lukewarm.  The Book of Job gives us a clearer picture of what it takes to find the treasures of God:

Job 28:3 (King James Version) 3He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.